News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

'Youth is more than simply a period of time; it is a state of mind'.

Reflection: Solemnity of Christ the King on World Youth Sunday

There are some Feasts of the Church’s Year that really lift our spirits, affirm us in our faith and renew our purpose and strength; Ss Peter & Paul in June, All Saints at the beginning of November and Christ the King as the culmination of the Church’s Year.

The Kingship of Christ is a true moment to rejoice but as the readings for this Solemnity in Year B indicate, it is not a Kingdom demonstrated by human power but by Heavenly power which confuses those with earthly authority who think that Christ is answerable to them.

Whenever the way of the world and society appears to be at odds with God’s justice, when peace and human solidarity look to be a remote possibility, we pray that we may recognise the supreme authority that will conquer all things in the world to come, a time when all hope will be fulfilled.

The Solemnity of Christ the King is always marked as World Youth Sunday, a special day of prayer for young people and young adults and their place in our Church.

Addressing the youthfulness that is asked of the Church’s Year and all of its members, Pope Francis writes:

Youth is more than simply a period of time; it is a state of mind. That is why an institution as ancient as the Church can experience renewal and a return to youth at different points in her age-old history. Indeed, at the most dramatic moments of her history, she feels called to return with all her heart to her first love. Recalling this truth, the Second Vatican Council noted that, “enriched by a long and living history, and advancing towards human perfection in time and the ultimate destinies of history and of life, the Church is the real youth of the world”. In her, it is always possible to encounter Christ “the companion and friend of youth”. (Christus Vivit - Christ is Alive, 2019)

On this World Youth Sunday, please be generous in supporting the important work of the Kenelm Youth Trust across the Archdiocese of Birmingham through the Second Collection at this weekend’s Mass.

If you have young people who are active in your parish, thank them and encourage them.

The voices of young people in the Church have been heard as part of the Synod Process. The participation of young people and families in the Church’s Mission is central to our Diocesan Vision.

May the prophetic voices of our young people never be ignored and even when they challenge what we have always done, be open to what God is saying to the Church through the energy and aspiration of young people.

Bishop Timothy Menezes

This weekend: World Youth Sunday

The Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) invites us to join this day to recognise and celebrate young people in our local church communities, whether that be through school, at home, or of course in the parish.

Over this weekend many of our young people will be sharing within parishes the role they play within the Church. Please continue to support them and give thanks.

Please Take Action: Oppose Assisted Suicide

The Catholic Bishops' Conference is calling on Catholics in England and Wales to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide.

The Bishops have issued a statement on Assisted Suicide ahead of the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons on Friday 29 November.

This is another attempt to legalise assisted suicide and we need you to contact your MP to voice your opposition.

Is the Assisted Suicide Bill about Compassion, Giving Choice and Dignity?

In-person and online panel discussion, Sunday 24 November at 3pm

The Catholic Union, in partnership with Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London, is hosting a panel discussion on Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill.

The panel brings a range of expertise:

- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, multi gold medal winning paralympic athlete and advocate for disability rights
- Dr Matthew Doré, Consultant Palliative Care Physician
- Professor Julian Hughes, Former Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist
- Professor David Albert Jones, Professor of Bioethics.

Volunteer this festive season at Tabor Living, Birmingham

Join a taster session on Monday 25 or Wednesday 27 November to understand the role of the volunteer engaging with our guests.

There will be a short introduction about Tabor followed by helping volunteers in preparing and cooking the evening meal.

Advent and Christmas Resources

Preparing for the Advent season in your parish and school communities?

Then please make the most of our dedicated webpage featuring activities, resources, prayers and much more.

Let us prepare for the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Jubilee Year 2025

Access resources for your parish and school communities as we prepare for the Holy Year.

With FAQs, a list of Jubilee Churches in the Archdiocese, a leaflet guide to the Jubilee and much more.

Let us journey together as Pilgrims of Hope.

Faith in Action in the Jubilee Year

Invitation from CAFOD to online conference.

For those who seek to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice in the Jubilee year, CAFOD’s annual online campaigners’ conference will be on Saturday 23 November from 10am to 2.30pm.

Sacred Heart & Holy Souls, Acocks Green - A Place of Welcome

A group in the parish offering a warm welcome to adults and young people with special needs as well as children preparing for the sacraments.

Come and join us every second Sunday in the meeting room between 2.30pm and 4pm. Refreshments will be served.

24 November, 8 December, 22 December.

Real Presence

A new edition of the Lectionary — using the English Standard Version - Catholic Edition and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles — will come into use in England and Wales on the First Sunday of Advent, 1 December. Fr Allen Morris provides reflections in the weeks leading up to its introduction.

Time was when Catholics seemed more focused on the Mass than on Scripture. The renewal of the Liturgy in the past 60 years and more has made it abundantly clear Mass is not Mass without Scripture; and helped us to experience how our worthy reception of the Word in Scripture helps us to worthy reception of the Word in the Sacrament.

Jesus makes himself really present – equally but differently present – in so many ways at Mass. He is really present in our gathering to be with him in prayer and song; in the word proclaimed, it is he who speaks; in Bread and Wine that has become his very self, his Body and Blood.

“The Church honours the Word of God and the Eucharistic mystery with the same reverence... She is nourished spiritually at the table of God’s Word and at the table of the Eucharist... In the Word of God the divine covenant is announced; in the Eucharist the new and everlasting covenant is renewed. The spoken Word of God brings to mind the history of salvation; the Eucharist embodies it in the sacramental signs of the Liturgy. (‘Introduction to the Lectionary’, 10)

As a prayer of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion, why not return to and pray with the Gospel of the Day…

Fr Allen Morris, former Secretary to the Bishops’ Conference Department for Christian Life and Worship

The Blessing of Graves across Birmingham cemeteries

Rectory Rd Cemetery: 24 November, 2pm
Wythall & Robin Hood: 24 November, 2pm

Booking now open for January event at Oscott College

Illustrious or Illegal? The 120 year argument on the use of Gothic Vestments (1837-1957)

Wednesday 29 January 2025 at St Mary's College, Oscott.

Come and join the college curator to learn more about the fascinating history which surrounds the use of ‘Gothic’ vestments in the Catholic church from 1837-1957, and get up close to beautiful examples of these vestments from Oscott’s museum, founded by A.W.Pugin, not normally on display.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

CEO Vacancy - For the first enlarged Catholic Multi-Academy Trust in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Applications are invited for the new CEO of the first enlarged Catholic Multi-Academy Trust in the Archdiocese.

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to commence Easter 2025, or earlier.

We are looking for an outstanding, dynamic, innovative and visionary Catholic servant leader to lead this new Trust of 63 schools by example and with wisdom.

The successful candidate will bring hope and optimism to the role, providing strategic direction and educational leadership to support our schools in facing the future.

The closing date to apply is Monday 25 November.

Parish Secretary

The united parishes of Christ the King, Kingstanding and Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale have a vacancy for a Parish Secretary.

The Parish Office is on Warren Farm Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham. The number of hours to be worked are negotiable depending on the circumstances of the successful applicant.

The Secretary will need to be in the Parish Office Monday to Friday for at least part of each day.

Oscott College: Volunteers Required for ‘Laudato Si’ Schools’ Retreat Days

A new initiative, beginning January 2025, to support schools to fulfil the requests of Pope Francis and the Catholic Social Teaching curriculum – Stewards of God’s Creation - needs 12 volunteers to act as guides for small school groups – primary and secondary.

The retreats will involve numerous small group outdoor activities with a focus on education about nature, the environment, renewable energy and how we can protect the planet, “our common home” (Pope Francis).

We are looking for those who are:

• Confident in talking to the public in small groups or one-to-one;
• Nature loving and enjoy being outdoors;
• Good timekeepers and reliable;
• Able to work as part of a team;
• Available to volunteer during school term time, at least once per term.
• Available on Monday 13 January 2025 for a training day, at Oscott College.

All training and uniforms will be provided.

Word on Fire: The Bible. Evangelisation and Culture Conference, London

Friday 21 - Saturday 22 February 2025 ExCel London.

Join Bishop Barron, N.T. Wright, Professor Tracey Rowland, Dr Holly Ordway and more in February 2025 at Word on Fire's Evangelisation & Culture Conference in London.

The Bible is the heart of evangelisation. As St Jerome observed long ago, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

At this conference, we will uncover the spiritual and theological meaning of the Bible from a genuinely Catholic approach, reading it within the context of the great and beautiful chorus of voices from across the centuries of the Church’s tradition.

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